What does it mean to be a "fan"? I'm not certain but I'm certain that is has changed. I see and hear people saying things like they're a "fan" of sunlight or peanut butter, and at the same time, I would have said that you're a fan of a band if they owned everything that they put out, but with Amazon, and Ebay and Itunes, that's hardly the commitment it once was. So, is being a fan simply a matter of a passing fancy, or having surplus cash? Is it more involved than that, or should it be? Have you seen the episode of Portlandia where Carrie and Fred hire Aimee Mann as their maid? Some interesting questions there about what it means to be a fan- is it a demand made upon the artist? Is it some kind of obsessional fantasy projection? What does a Fan owe the subject of their Fandom? What do those subjects owe their fans?
I believe the answers to those questions have changed, and I don't think that's either bad or good. It's just different. I might be stuck in an outmoded viewpoint, but I think that while no one owes anyone in a "fan" type of relationship, there is a certain amount of devotion necessary to call someone a "Fan"- the only real question is in which way it is appropriate to express that devotion.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Assuaging My Guilt
Ok, so I spent some money today. More than I usually do. I'm a bit, errr, umm,errr "practical" on my budgets. Truthfully, I know that I'm middle class for an American, which makes me wealthy for many other parts of the world. However, it's all about perspective and context. My family is, by and large, European, from an austere background, but well-educated and currently enjoying the high standard of living afforded Finns, and Netherlanders, and Swedes and certain Ukrainians enjoy, so I always feel a bit behind. As you might suspect, I'm self-aware enough to know that my viewpoint is skewed, but not enough to convince limbic system....
So, I've got strangely arbitrary "rules" about what to spend on which items. It seems practical to me, but I know that it's a bit, ahem, idiosyncratic.So, partially, I don't talk about fashion on this blog too often because I'm hardly budgeting for trends.
Still, serendipity happens, and today, I happened to chance across a Neiman Marcus Last Call . Thinking it was above my budget, I went in, just to please my wife. Now, I still spent more than my budget usually allows, but I was surprised, pleasantly. For men's fashion, there are few things I think are better than my "Trinity"- Ben Sherman,Original Penguin, and Fred Perry. They had all three. However, I usually do not allow myself such things. $200.00 US for a casual jacket simply isn't allowed in my world. But, I purchased 4 Polo shirts, for under $100.00 US- 2 Original Penguins, and 2 Fred Perry shirts. The Original Penguin shirts were in "The Earl" style, which I think is a pure classic that only some UFC-worshipping meathead would pass by, while the Fred Perry shirts were the original "Twin Tipped" style, which are a clue as to where my sense of style originates. Yes, I usually have rather short hair. No, I'm not one of "them". Yes, I do have an extensive collection of Dr Martens boots and shoes. No, I don't own anything by Skrewdriver.
So, while I feel guilty for spending so much on such frivolous things, I assuage my guilt by writing about it, because these things, this fashion helps to denote who I am, culturally. Yes, I think that plays into what I like in music, and what kind of movie will excite me, and so on. I don't expect to be held to some kind of tribal norm, however. I draw from where that style originates, but I'm not limited by it. Just like, if you came from Grunge, I would expect some flannel in your shirt pile, and some fuzztone on your stereo, but I wouldn't expect you to have stopped purchasing music as of 1997, and zero khaki trousers in your hamper. I also was more Anarchy than Fascism, and, as always, would be an uncomfortable fit into any one category, just like you. Still, I come from a Skin/Mod type of sensibility, and I think it's useful to note that. While I enjoyed some Oi!, I was more drawn to Ska, Northern Soul, Mod and Reggae than to simplified punk rock. Mostly, though, I liked American Hardcore, so my take on Skinhead was much more filtered. I came to Skin by way of Youth Brigade more than by Blitz, and more Henry Rollins than Malcolm Owen. I still was aware of it all, so yes, Fred Perry over Hanes Beefy T, any day. However, I still don't like Sta Prest....
So, I've got strangely arbitrary "rules" about what to spend on which items. It seems practical to me, but I know that it's a bit, ahem, idiosyncratic.So, partially, I don't talk about fashion on this blog too often because I'm hardly budgeting for trends.
Still, serendipity happens, and today, I happened to chance across a Neiman Marcus Last Call . Thinking it was above my budget, I went in, just to please my wife. Now, I still spent more than my budget usually allows, but I was surprised, pleasantly. For men's fashion, there are few things I think are better than my "Trinity"- Ben Sherman,Original Penguin, and Fred Perry. They had all three. However, I usually do not allow myself such things. $200.00 US for a casual jacket simply isn't allowed in my world. But, I purchased 4 Polo shirts, for under $100.00 US- 2 Original Penguins, and 2 Fred Perry shirts. The Original Penguin shirts were in "The Earl" style, which I think is a pure classic that only some UFC-worshipping meathead would pass by, while the Fred Perry shirts were the original "Twin Tipped" style, which are a clue as to where my sense of style originates. Yes, I usually have rather short hair. No, I'm not one of "them". Yes, I do have an extensive collection of Dr Martens boots and shoes. No, I don't own anything by Skrewdriver.
So, while I feel guilty for spending so much on such frivolous things, I assuage my guilt by writing about it, because these things, this fashion helps to denote who I am, culturally. Yes, I think that plays into what I like in music, and what kind of movie will excite me, and so on. I don't expect to be held to some kind of tribal norm, however. I draw from where that style originates, but I'm not limited by it. Just like, if you came from Grunge, I would expect some flannel in your shirt pile, and some fuzztone on your stereo, but I wouldn't expect you to have stopped purchasing music as of 1997, and zero khaki trousers in your hamper. I also was more Anarchy than Fascism, and, as always, would be an uncomfortable fit into any one category, just like you. Still, I come from a Skin/Mod type of sensibility, and I think it's useful to note that. While I enjoyed some Oi!, I was more drawn to Ska, Northern Soul, Mod and Reggae than to simplified punk rock. Mostly, though, I liked American Hardcore, so my take on Skinhead was much more filtered. I came to Skin by way of Youth Brigade more than by Blitz, and more Henry Rollins than Malcolm Owen. I still was aware of it all, so yes, Fred Perry over Hanes Beefy T, any day. However, I still don't like Sta Prest....
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
New Music from Left Field
I was telling a friend that more than the stuff I know is coming out, I get excited by stuff that surprises me. So, today was good for that. Go here to hear the new Clutch song "Earth Rocker". Then, go here to see the new video from David Bowie "Where are we now?" Both are good tracks, and I wasn't expecting either one, exactly....
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Bronx are back in Town
So, ahem, a little birdie told me that there might be a way to hear the new Bronx cd ( IV) , so that's what I've been doing.
The last CD (III) was more a foray into standard Hard Rock, albeit heavily influenced by the Hardcore that is deep in the Bronx's soul. This is more Alt-Rock influenced. Lots of Rocket From the Crypt, as per usual, but tracks like "Along for the Ride" and "Style over Everything" could fit on a Foo Fighters record, if Dave was in the mood to rock much more hard than he ever has in the Foos. There's a slight Thin Lizzy reference in the title. That's on purpose. If you're as old as me, you might remember "Thunder and Lightening" era Thin Lizzy? You might remember Rose Tattoo's "Assault and Battery" LP? Yeah, well, I can promise you that the Bronx remember it well. Still, there's something chasing Matt. I don't know if his last name is a stage name, but it fits him: Caught, Ran. Listen to "Too many Devils" and tell me he's not a haunted man- still running from something that caught him once.But, something new is here- harmony vocals, and even a little anthemic crooning from track to track.
Also as per usual, they leaven the outright blistering rockers with a ballad or two. "Torches" fills that role here and it's like the Replacements trying to do a Flogging Molly styled anthem."Life Less Ordinary " is more their typical blues number, and still hits hard, even without drums...
"Ribcage", however is a better song than The Riverboat Gamblers ( who I like, don't get me wrong) have done in years.
Let's hope that Last Revelation isn't. While I don't think we're ever going to get back first album Bronx, they still bring the Rock in a way all too few do...
The last CD (III) was more a foray into standard Hard Rock, albeit heavily influenced by the Hardcore that is deep in the Bronx's soul. This is more Alt-Rock influenced. Lots of Rocket From the Crypt, as per usual, but tracks like "Along for the Ride" and "Style over Everything" could fit on a Foo Fighters record, if Dave was in the mood to rock much more hard than he ever has in the Foos. There's a slight Thin Lizzy reference in the title. That's on purpose. If you're as old as me, you might remember "Thunder and Lightening" era Thin Lizzy? You might remember Rose Tattoo's "Assault and Battery" LP? Yeah, well, I can promise you that the Bronx remember it well. Still, there's something chasing Matt. I don't know if his last name is a stage name, but it fits him: Caught, Ran. Listen to "Too many Devils" and tell me he's not a haunted man- still running from something that caught him once.But, something new is here- harmony vocals, and even a little anthemic crooning from track to track.
Also as per usual, they leaven the outright blistering rockers with a ballad or two. "Torches" fills that role here and it's like the Replacements trying to do a Flogging Molly styled anthem."Life Less Ordinary " is more their typical blues number, and still hits hard, even without drums...
"Ribcage", however is a better song than The Riverboat Gamblers ( who I like, don't get me wrong) have done in years.
Let's hope that Last Revelation isn't. While I don't think we're ever going to get back first album Bronx, they still bring the Rock in a way all too few do...
Monday, December 31, 2012
Couple more things
Where I'm at, it's not yet 2013, so just to close out a few things-
I bought two more DVD's using a gift card so, we'll call them Christmas presents, as well. I got Portlandia's Season Two. The show is great, the bonus features are nice, the packaging is well, ecologically friendly.
I also got Dead Man, the Jim Jarmusch film starring Johnny Depp. If you haven't seen it, it's a great film, up there with The Proposition and High Plains Drifter.
Also, while I'm looking forward to a few things, I'm not expecting 2013 to contain as many goodies as 2012, so I might change the blog again in the coming months. I'm not certain about that. However, media is changing, and so am I. We'll see.
What will not change, is that I still want to see a shift in Culture, away from Mass, and into Individual, and Folk, and Subcultural.
Finally, if 2012 sucked for you, I'm sorry the Mayan Apocalypse didn't pan out. If it didn't suck that badly, then I still hope that we can make our not-post-apocalyptic lives worth that would-be glorious end. (I mean, we've all got to die- but if you have to die, wouldn't it be more glorious to go out in an Apocalypse? So, if we've been denied that, then, let's hope our lives are even more glorious than dying in the end of all things.)
I bought two more DVD's using a gift card so, we'll call them Christmas presents, as well. I got Portlandia's Season Two. The show is great, the bonus features are nice, the packaging is well, ecologically friendly.
I also got Dead Man, the Jim Jarmusch film starring Johnny Depp. If you haven't seen it, it's a great film, up there with The Proposition and High Plains Drifter.
Also, while I'm looking forward to a few things, I'm not expecting 2013 to contain as many goodies as 2012, so I might change the blog again in the coming months. I'm not certain about that. However, media is changing, and so am I. We'll see.
What will not change, is that I still want to see a shift in Culture, away from Mass, and into Individual, and Folk, and Subcultural.
Finally, if 2012 sucked for you, I'm sorry the Mayan Apocalypse didn't pan out. If it didn't suck that badly, then I still hope that we can make our not-post-apocalyptic lives worth that would-be glorious end. (I mean, we've all got to die- but if you have to die, wouldn't it be more glorious to go out in an Apocalypse? So, if we've been denied that, then, let's hope our lives are even more glorious than dying in the end of all things.)
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Merry Xmas to me.
Sometimes, you have to know your limits. I really wish I was much more cool, hip and stylish than I am. I'd like to be Michael Caine in 1968, Sean Connery in 1963, Steve Mcqueen in 1973, Robert Redford, virtually any time, Brad Pitt any time after 1996, and so on. Hell, there's some I cannot even dream of being- I'll never be Sam Jackson, Lou Reed, or Johnny Lydon. So, I knew getting a pair of super cool aviator shades was beyond me. I wanted Bradley Cooper in the Hangover or Jeffrey Donovan in Burn Notice but, unfortunately the best I could get was Anthony Edwards in Top Gun .
So, after polling the women in my life, who always have a better idea of what's my best look, I went with Tim Roth in Reservoir Dogs and went with Lookmatic's take on the Ray Ban Clubmaster, The Austin.
Of course, I also got stuff that others bought for me. Book-wise, it was a catch up- I got the Portable Henry Rollins, and The Portlandia guide to Portland . Both are topics that you probably are done and over with, so I won't bore you, even if they don't bore me.
DVD's? I got two TV series. I got Boardwalk Empire's first season, as well as The Walking Dead's first season.If you're not already watching both, you probably don't want a TV, so again, nothing much to say.
I didn't get any music- I think everyone knows I'm pretty set for that...
Finally, I did get a video game- Metro 2033 I haven't played it yet, so no review- but I'm into post apocalyptic shooting video games so I bet I like it. I'll let you know.
So, after polling the women in my life, who always have a better idea of what's my best look, I went with Tim Roth in Reservoir Dogs and went with Lookmatic's take on the Ray Ban Clubmaster, The Austin.
Of course, I also got stuff that others bought for me. Book-wise, it was a catch up- I got the Portable Henry Rollins, and The Portlandia guide to Portland . Both are topics that you probably are done and over with, so I won't bore you, even if they don't bore me.
DVD's? I got two TV series. I got Boardwalk Empire's first season, as well as The Walking Dead's first season.If you're not already watching both, you probably don't want a TV, so again, nothing much to say.
I didn't get any music- I think everyone knows I'm pretty set for that...
Finally, I did get a video game- Metro 2033 I haven't played it yet, so no review- but I'm into post apocalyptic shooting video games so I bet I like it. I'll let you know.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Best of? We don't need no Steenking " Best Of"
Ok, so you know that I'm not really good at "best of" or "end of year" lists. But I know they are expected of sites like mine, so, here's some stuff that happened this year that I think you're missing out if you missed it, grouped by month:
January: Nothing. Not A Damn Thing.
February: Die Antwoord at the 930 club. Mark Lanegan Blues Funeral
Normally, I'm with Henry on "Rave music" But, Die Antwoord is more punk rock than most punk rock.
Also, Mark Lanegan's "Blues Funeral". Ye gads, the guy is good. He could sing the phone book and it'd sound like a three day bender complete with divorce and hangover.Also, have you heard Dark Mark ? If you haven't, secure it somehow. You'll most likely have to break the law to do so, but ye gads, the guy is good.
March: Meh. It was a month....
April- Wow! ok, Black God II, Killing Joke MMXII, Coachella, Torche Harmonicraft, and Aeges- The Bridge.
Black God play hardcore thrash the way it should be done, Killing Joke I shouldn't have to sell you on, Coachella laid down the gauntlet for Live streams, Torche brought the best hard party all year ( Hence I saw 'em twice), and Aeges did the best late 1990's post-hardcore record this side of the Refused.
May- Tragedy- Darker Days Ahead, The Cribs- In the Belly of The Brazen Bull, Dead Ending.
May must be punk rock, or something- first with Tragedy, they upped their game from sludge punk to some undefinable metal punk hybrid that is one part Neurosis, one part Kylesa, and one part Discharge. The Cribs answered the much-needed question- why must someone mix the Pixies and Oasis?, and Dead Ending brought Vic Bondi back to Chicago, with awesome intelligent thrash as the result.
June- dEUS- Following Sea, Silence is Sexy- Modern Antiques, The Hives at the 930 club
dEUS let down the veneer to do a quickie LP that rocks, Silence is Sexy sloughed off this mortal coil with a double LP that mixes Depeche Mode, the Editors and The Beach Boys, and the Hives gave part one of the proof that the Swedes put on the best rocknroll shows.
July- Baroness Yellow and Green, The Refused at the Fillmore, Workers- Both Hands
Baroness evolved into one of our finest psychedelic bands, the Refused gave the definitive proof that the Swedes put on the best Rocknroll shows ever, and the Workers finally put out a second record of awe-inspiring indie rock
August- Bob Mould- Silver Age
Yes, it officially came out in September, but I got it in August. Best record of the year. No question.
September- Bob Mould at the 930 Club
St Bob got off the cross, got happy, rocked hard, melted faces. Amazing.
October- Argo
No I didn't review it here. However that didn't stop it from being the best movie I saw all year.
November- Deftones Koi No Yokan
In which the Deftones prove that post metal doesn't need to be either instrumental, nor too difficult to enjoy
December- Not over yet, but I ain't hopeful.
January: Nothing. Not A Damn Thing.
February: Die Antwoord at the 930 club. Mark Lanegan Blues Funeral
Normally, I'm with Henry on "Rave music" But, Die Antwoord is more punk rock than most punk rock.
Also, Mark Lanegan's "Blues Funeral". Ye gads, the guy is good. He could sing the phone book and it'd sound like a three day bender complete with divorce and hangover.Also, have you heard Dark Mark ? If you haven't, secure it somehow. You'll most likely have to break the law to do so, but ye gads, the guy is good.
March: Meh. It was a month....
April- Wow! ok, Black God II, Killing Joke MMXII, Coachella, Torche Harmonicraft, and Aeges- The Bridge.
Black God play hardcore thrash the way it should be done, Killing Joke I shouldn't have to sell you on, Coachella laid down the gauntlet for Live streams, Torche brought the best hard party all year ( Hence I saw 'em twice), and Aeges did the best late 1990's post-hardcore record this side of the Refused.
May- Tragedy- Darker Days Ahead, The Cribs- In the Belly of The Brazen Bull, Dead Ending.
May must be punk rock, or something- first with Tragedy, they upped their game from sludge punk to some undefinable metal punk hybrid that is one part Neurosis, one part Kylesa, and one part Discharge. The Cribs answered the much-needed question- why must someone mix the Pixies and Oasis?, and Dead Ending brought Vic Bondi back to Chicago, with awesome intelligent thrash as the result.
June- dEUS- Following Sea, Silence is Sexy- Modern Antiques, The Hives at the 930 club
dEUS let down the veneer to do a quickie LP that rocks, Silence is Sexy sloughed off this mortal coil with a double LP that mixes Depeche Mode, the Editors and The Beach Boys, and the Hives gave part one of the proof that the Swedes put on the best rocknroll shows.
July- Baroness Yellow and Green, The Refused at the Fillmore, Workers- Both Hands
Baroness evolved into one of our finest psychedelic bands, the Refused gave the definitive proof that the Swedes put on the best Rocknroll shows ever, and the Workers finally put out a second record of awe-inspiring indie rock
August- Bob Mould- Silver Age
Yes, it officially came out in September, but I got it in August. Best record of the year. No question.
September- Bob Mould at the 930 Club
St Bob got off the cross, got happy, rocked hard, melted faces. Amazing.
October- Argo
No I didn't review it here. However that didn't stop it from being the best movie I saw all year.
November- Deftones Koi No Yokan
In which the Deftones prove that post metal doesn't need to be either instrumental, nor too difficult to enjoy
December- Not over yet, but I ain't hopeful.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
MetaData
Sorry if I'm being self-indulgent here, but I have to talk about some behind-the-scenes stuff.
See, it happened again. I got offered a job. Not a paying job, of course, because those come around every 6 months or so, but a job, nonetheless. I get these about once a month. What was somewhat unusual is that mostly, the job offers I get are technical. This was a writing assignment. I get a request like that about every year or so.
Now, I know my strengths. I'm a very, very good sound engineer. I have exquisite tastes in regards to music and movies. I'm a decent cook, and I can speak really well, having both training and natural gifts for voice work. In other words, I'm better than the best DJ you ever heard. That's my strength. If I sound arrogant, wait for the next paragraph.
See, I also know my weaknesses, and they are legion. I'm really not a good writer. I can convey my thoughts, a bit. But I cannot thrill or engage my reader very well. I have difficulty with sentence structure, and I am even worse with formally structuring a piece for publication. Further, I'm an ugly git, and more than a little curmudgeonly.
Still my strengths being what they are, I get offers- hey could you write a column, could you do an interview, could you contribute to my magazine, blog, book, or article? I never get a second offer, because the way I write is not what they're looking for. I've lived a very interesting, and somewhat unbelievable life. So friends, from time to time tell me I should write a book. I always act bashful, and "aw shucks" them away, but I know the truth- while my life story is interesting, my way of conveying it would better be a stand up comedy routine- I can't write that down.
So, if you're reading this blog, I do thank you for showing an interest in my thoughts, despite my awkward way of conveying them. However, I've now found that this blog is useful, as well. I simply asked my latest proffer-er of a job to read my blog. That did the trick, quick. They didn't so much as respond with a 'Uh, hey, yeah, the position got filled, thanks" ; they simply vanished. Which is why I bring the whole thing up, and why I'm classifying it as 'Metadata"- I know that the way I write didn't work for him, as opposed to my tastes, or my ability to discern Art and culture. I've been told way too often by far too many musicians, film-makers, TV producers, and other Artists that I "get it" to simply think I've got a bad read on Art, culture and taste. But, that is not what 99% of culture writers are trying to do. Most people writing about music, writing about film, or TV, or whatever else, culturally, ultimately aren't really concerned with conveying the Art- they want to convey something about themselves. Maybe they want to convey how "cool" they are, either in the sense of being hip, or in the sense of being distant. Maybe they want to be funny, or witty. Usually, they want you to think about how clever they are. Me? I don't care one little bit what you think about me. I know that I'm a lousy writer, and even if I was trying to make you think good things about me, I'd mis-communicate enough that you'd end up thinking entirely different things from my intent. That's why I'm loathe to call what I do here 'reviews'- I'm not writerly enough for that term. I'm just using this blog to throw support, in the best way I can, for people who create.
I once had a friend, an artist, explain things brilliantly to me- an Artist's job is to take various things and put them together to build something- notes to make a song, paint to make a picture, and so forth. A Critic's job is the opposite- to take whatever's built apart- to discern the structure and show what's been built and how. Both are valuable, but neither is what I do. What I do is point and say "Ain't this cool?" That's the "meta" behind the "Data" here....
See, it happened again. I got offered a job. Not a paying job, of course, because those come around every 6 months or so, but a job, nonetheless. I get these about once a month. What was somewhat unusual is that mostly, the job offers I get are technical. This was a writing assignment. I get a request like that about every year or so.
Now, I know my strengths. I'm a very, very good sound engineer. I have exquisite tastes in regards to music and movies. I'm a decent cook, and I can speak really well, having both training and natural gifts for voice work. In other words, I'm better than the best DJ you ever heard. That's my strength. If I sound arrogant, wait for the next paragraph.
See, I also know my weaknesses, and they are legion. I'm really not a good writer. I can convey my thoughts, a bit. But I cannot thrill or engage my reader very well. I have difficulty with sentence structure, and I am even worse with formally structuring a piece for publication. Further, I'm an ugly git, and more than a little curmudgeonly.
Still my strengths being what they are, I get offers- hey could you write a column, could you do an interview, could you contribute to my magazine, blog, book, or article? I never get a second offer, because the way I write is not what they're looking for. I've lived a very interesting, and somewhat unbelievable life. So friends, from time to time tell me I should write a book. I always act bashful, and "aw shucks" them away, but I know the truth- while my life story is interesting, my way of conveying it would better be a stand up comedy routine- I can't write that down.
So, if you're reading this blog, I do thank you for showing an interest in my thoughts, despite my awkward way of conveying them. However, I've now found that this blog is useful, as well. I simply asked my latest proffer-er of a job to read my blog. That did the trick, quick. They didn't so much as respond with a 'Uh, hey, yeah, the position got filled, thanks" ; they simply vanished. Which is why I bring the whole thing up, and why I'm classifying it as 'Metadata"- I know that the way I write didn't work for him, as opposed to my tastes, or my ability to discern Art and culture. I've been told way too often by far too many musicians, film-makers, TV producers, and other Artists that I "get it" to simply think I've got a bad read on Art, culture and taste. But, that is not what 99% of culture writers are trying to do. Most people writing about music, writing about film, or TV, or whatever else, culturally, ultimately aren't really concerned with conveying the Art- they want to convey something about themselves. Maybe they want to convey how "cool" they are, either in the sense of being hip, or in the sense of being distant. Maybe they want to be funny, or witty. Usually, they want you to think about how clever they are. Me? I don't care one little bit what you think about me. I know that I'm a lousy writer, and even if I was trying to make you think good things about me, I'd mis-communicate enough that you'd end up thinking entirely different things from my intent. That's why I'm loathe to call what I do here 'reviews'- I'm not writerly enough for that term. I'm just using this blog to throw support, in the best way I can, for people who create.
I once had a friend, an artist, explain things brilliantly to me- an Artist's job is to take various things and put them together to build something- notes to make a song, paint to make a picture, and so forth. A Critic's job is the opposite- to take whatever's built apart- to discern the structure and show what's been built and how. Both are valuable, but neither is what I do. What I do is point and say "Ain't this cool?" That's the "meta" behind the "Data" here....
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Saw Brian Setzer Last Night
Yes, I was front row center for Brian Setzer's orchestra last night. Yes, they were tickets my wife purchased, however, let me point out that I clearly have a soft spot for Americana ( from The Blasters to X to even QOTSA, one cannot be from Los Angeles without an appreciation for Rockabilly, Blues, and Country) and who doesn't love a Gretsch guitar, stand up bass, and Stand up Drummer? No, it's not innovative. It's musical "comfort food"- but would you say people eat more Burgers or more Pate? Just like a burger, if it was done right, it's satisfying, and actually good for you- and Mr Setzer, despite starting to look like Buck Owens on Hee Haw, serves up some "good for you" jazz chords, and alternate blues scales in each and every traditional song he plays. There were 4 year olds in the audience, and I think it's far, far more righteous for them to see Brian Setzer than The Wiggles, right? If it were your kid, what would you start them out on to set them right? Would you send them straight to Jacques Brel and Lou Reed? How about John Zorn and Mike Patton? If you would, I don't pity your kids, I pity you, because your kids are going to give you such problems.... I think that all things considered The Brian Setzer Orchestra is an excellent choice for Family Fare. If the Beatles were to re-unite, sure, that'd about cover it, as well, but then you'd have to explain both death and the coming zombie apocalypse to your kids, and that's hardly a good Christmas, now is it?
Still, my kids are grown, why am I going, right? Because I'm still a human being with needs, ok? Jeez, lay off with your vigorous steep learning curve, will ya? ( Don't get me wrong, I know that nobody cares, and are skipping this post to read the Scott Walker review, or are Russian porn bots, but this is fun for me to pretend it's a debate) I went eagerly to see Brian Setzer because I'm not opposed to comforts, especially when they are guilt free, and the guy does make it pretty darn guilt free. Hot musicians playing challenging music? Yup. Using music to communicate complex emotions? Yup. Dance based rock and roll/ Ah, Yup. So, why wouldn't you see the Brian Setzer Orchestra?
Still, my kids are grown, why am I going, right? Because I'm still a human being with needs, ok? Jeez, lay off with your vigorous steep learning curve, will ya? ( Don't get me wrong, I know that nobody cares, and are skipping this post to read the Scott Walker review, or are Russian porn bots, but this is fun for me to pretend it's a debate) I went eagerly to see Brian Setzer because I'm not opposed to comforts, especially when they are guilt free, and the guy does make it pretty darn guilt free. Hot musicians playing challenging music? Yup. Using music to communicate complex emotions? Yup. Dance based rock and roll/ Ah, Yup. So, why wouldn't you see the Brian Setzer Orchestra?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Kylesa- From the Vaults Vol 1
Wow, more like volume 11... I forgot how aggressive and loud Kylesa used to be....
OK, so this is a stop gap release by the band. Normally, that's a very bad sign, and while it's not a good sign, here, it is more necessary than it might otherwise be. See, normally, a band releases a collection of B sides and rarities when they're stymied and running out of steam, and generally about to break up. It's one step away from a "greatest hits" LP which is a sure sign of a band that's either entirely gone corporate, or is completely out of ideas.
Then, there's a the Re-Mix Album which is either a cash-in, or an admission that they've got no idea what to do next. That's in opposition to a Dub, which is fueled more by external voices hearing something in the music that the band didn't and so is less about band dynamics than it is about perception.
So, this is a collection of rarities and B sides by Kylesa, and earlier I said it's more necessary than most- that's because there's two distinct sides to Kylesa- on the one side, they're an incredibly loud, dense psychotronic sludge band- like Tragedy or Buzzoven meets Sleep or something, but on the other side, they're a mainstream metal band that can play a gig like Bonnaroo with Phish heads in the audience. So, showing people who might have stepped in with Spiral Shadow, and are expecting a psychedelic Foo Fighters out of them that they come from a darker, grittier and louder place is probably more necessary than hearing some band's noodlings from when they were stoned in the studio.
So, for them that don't know- this is the Kylesa of yore- sludge metal from a decidedly psychotronic, as opposed to psychedelic place- the difference is that this isn't a mellow thing about chemically altered good times- more like a medicinally impaired dysfunctional mental state. This is like Mike Tyson on Zoloft and mixed drinks, having a 10 second psychic moment of lucidity, not like Jeff Bridges chilling on beer and weed having a ten minute blissful trance. What makes it still beautiful is that they're able to find moments of transcendence in crushed out sludge. I dig them because they find the sweet spot between the joyful stoners like Torche and the tribal rage of Neurosis. ( Actually, that'd be a hell of a gig- Torche opening, Kylesa warming up, and then Neurosis headlining)- that's a sweet spot previously occupied by QOTSA, so yes, I dig them a lot. This album is more necessary than it otherwise could be because it brings up the Neurosis end of the spectrum, but it still is filler. They're biding time trying to come up with a worthy follow up to Spiral Shadow ( which is a titanic monolith to try to meet). It will be worth a lot less if the next one isn't a great just-left-of-mainstream LP, because then it'll be the closing of a loop back to the beginning on Kylesa. ( Which, BTW is why I'm not holding my breath on the new QOTSA LP- bringing Dave Grohl and Nick back in so publicly smacks of retread more than return. I hope I'm wrong, and I'm blown away, but there's something that's warning me this may end up being a grunge cabaret nostalgia act) So, if you get this, it's because you really dig Kylesa. Otherwise, let's hope the new LP comes soon....
OK, so this is a stop gap release by the band. Normally, that's a very bad sign, and while it's not a good sign, here, it is more necessary than it might otherwise be. See, normally, a band releases a collection of B sides and rarities when they're stymied and running out of steam, and generally about to break up. It's one step away from a "greatest hits" LP which is a sure sign of a band that's either entirely gone corporate, or is completely out of ideas.
Then, there's a the Re-Mix Album which is either a cash-in, or an admission that they've got no idea what to do next. That's in opposition to a Dub, which is fueled more by external voices hearing something in the music that the band didn't and so is less about band dynamics than it is about perception.
So, this is a collection of rarities and B sides by Kylesa, and earlier I said it's more necessary than most- that's because there's two distinct sides to Kylesa- on the one side, they're an incredibly loud, dense psychotronic sludge band- like Tragedy or Buzzoven meets Sleep or something, but on the other side, they're a mainstream metal band that can play a gig like Bonnaroo with Phish heads in the audience. So, showing people who might have stepped in with Spiral Shadow, and are expecting a psychedelic Foo Fighters out of them that they come from a darker, grittier and louder place is probably more necessary than hearing some band's noodlings from when they were stoned in the studio.
So, for them that don't know- this is the Kylesa of yore- sludge metal from a decidedly psychotronic, as opposed to psychedelic place- the difference is that this isn't a mellow thing about chemically altered good times- more like a medicinally impaired dysfunctional mental state. This is like Mike Tyson on Zoloft and mixed drinks, having a 10 second psychic moment of lucidity, not like Jeff Bridges chilling on beer and weed having a ten minute blissful trance. What makes it still beautiful is that they're able to find moments of transcendence in crushed out sludge. I dig them because they find the sweet spot between the joyful stoners like Torche and the tribal rage of Neurosis. ( Actually, that'd be a hell of a gig- Torche opening, Kylesa warming up, and then Neurosis headlining)- that's a sweet spot previously occupied by QOTSA, so yes, I dig them a lot. This album is more necessary than it otherwise could be because it brings up the Neurosis end of the spectrum, but it still is filler. They're biding time trying to come up with a worthy follow up to Spiral Shadow ( which is a titanic monolith to try to meet). It will be worth a lot less if the next one isn't a great just-left-of-mainstream LP, because then it'll be the closing of a loop back to the beginning on Kylesa. ( Which, BTW is why I'm not holding my breath on the new QOTSA LP- bringing Dave Grohl and Nick back in so publicly smacks of retread more than return. I hope I'm wrong, and I'm blown away, but there's something that's warning me this may end up being a grunge cabaret nostalgia act) So, if you get this, it's because you really dig Kylesa. Otherwise, let's hope the new LP comes soon....
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